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Two urban eateries served their last meals this weekend, as both announced on their social media accounts that they were closing.

Local 127, located at 413 Vine St., Downtown, served meals for the last time Saturday, while Lavomatic, at 1211 Vine St. in Over-the-Rhine, announced it had closed via its Facebook page Sunday night. Both restaurants were owned by Martin and Marilyn Wade.

"We had a wonderful 12 years in the restaurant business," said Martin Wade. "I think we did a lot of pioneering things. Pigall's was the first restaurant to open after the riots; Lavomatic was the first in the Gateway Quarter. And we've met a lot of wonderful people."

Joe Lanni – who owns Bakersfield, Currito and Eagle Food and Beer Hall with his brother, John – said they would lease the Lavomatic space for a new as-yet unnamed concept.

Wade said there currently are no plans for the Local 127 space.

Kyle Johnson, chef at Local 127, said he and the Wades discussed closing the restaurant when business slowed this year.

"I just think Downtown is getting so saturated with restaurants," he said. "We couldn't get enough people in the door."

Johnson said he already has received calls and messages from other restaurants and people in the food industry offering to hire his staff.

"We are sad to announce that this evening, June 28, will be our last night of service. We have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Cincinnati food community and are forever grateful to those who helped establish an amazing community within our restaurant.

"The staff at Local 127 is made up of some of best employees, but more importantly, some of the best people in this industry and in this city.

"A very specific thank you to all the farmers, purveyors, foragers, and harvesters who represent the true objective of Local 127.

"We leave with our heads held high, proud of the food we served and the service we provided."

The closings of Lavomatic and Local 127 end an interesting decade-long chapter in the Cincinnati restaurant scene, as well as the Wades' involvement in the restaurant business.

The Wades originally got into the business as partners of chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, when they opened Jean-Robert at Pigall's in 2002. That restaurant revived the site of Pigall's, a historic restaurant site at 127 4th St., Downtown.

Over the next several years, the Wades and de Cavel opened several restaurants together: JeanRo Bistro on Vine Street, Downtown; Pho Paris in Oakley; Lavomatic in Over-the-Rhine; and Greenup Cafe in Covington. Pho Paris later moved to Covington; when it closed, it was replaced by Chalk Food + Wine. They also opened Savor Catering, which is the only food-related business that hasn't closed.

The partnership fizzled and de Cavel left to open Jean-Robert's Table on Vine Street, Downtown. That led to Martin Wade suing him for breach of a non-compete clause in early 2010. Pigall's became Local 127, and the space next door opened as Tonic, an upscale craft cocktail lounge. In August 2011, Local 127 moved into the JeanRo Bistro space. Chalk closed, as did Greenup Cafe.

Lavomatic was the first of the new restaurants to open in the Gateway Quarter on Vine Street, north of Central Parkway. Taking over the space of a former laundromat in February 2008, it began as a French cafe with a light-hearted laundry theme. It has had a number of talented chefs along the way, including Joanne Drilling, Brad Bernstein and Josh Campbell, but never seemed to gain the success that many of its new neighbors did as Vine Street grew as a dining destination.

The Lanni brothers, who are taking over the Lavomatic space, have had a golden touch on Vine Street: their Mexican food and country music concept Bakersfield has been duplicated, more or less, in Indianapolis, Columbus and Charlotte, and they have leases signed in Nashville and Cleveland.

Local 127 specialized in locally sourced, American-inspired new cuisine. The Wades had made a commitment to using local food. The restaurants have a garden on Walnut Street in Over-the-Rhine, and Marilyn Wade was particularly involved in setting up the Farmer's Fair event for two years in a row, bringing together local farmers and producers.

The Wades own a number of real estate properties, most in Over-the-Rhine, and Rookwood Pottery, which keeps them busy. They are currrently renovating residential buildings near 12th and Walnut streets.